NNENNA OTI BUS TERMINAL: ADC SHOULD GET ITS FACTS AND THE LAW RIGHT
😆😂🫣 Honestly, election fever truly brings out a lot of ‘charismatic’ mood swings like the statement alleging that the construction and operation of the Nnenna Oti Central Bus Terminal, Umuahia, is unconstitutional and demanding that the facility be handed over to Umuahia North Local Government Council.
ADC, wereee nwayo!!!
Anyway sha ooooo, while political parties are entitled to express opinions on matters of public interest, constitutional provisions should not be quoted selectively or interpreted in a manner that creates conclusions which the Constitution itself does not expressly make.
For the avoidance of doubt, Paragraph 1(e) of the Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution lists the establishment, maintenance and regulation of motor parks among the functions of Local Government Councils.
However, nowhere does that provision state that a State Government is prohibited from funding, constructing or developing modern transportation infrastructure within its territory.
The distinction is important.
The Nnenna Oti Central Bus Terminal is not merely an improvised roadside motor park. It is a major multimodal transportation infrastructure developed as part of the Abia State Government’s wider urban renewal and transportation reform programme. The facility, commissioned on May 27, 2026, has capacity for more than 340 buses and incorporates commercial facilities, passenger conveniences and other supporting infrastructure.
It is therefore misleading to reduce such a major public infrastructure project to the simplistic assertion that the State Government has “no business” constructing it.
ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY
Governor Alex C. Otti’s administration recognises the constitutional status and responsibilities of Local Government Councils.
The Government equally respects the principles affirmed by the Supreme Court in its judgment of July 11, 2024, concerning the financial and administrative autonomy of democratically elected Local Government Councils.
But that judgment should not be distorted into a proposition that State Governments are constitutionally forbidden from investing in infrastructure situated within Local Government Areas.
If that interpretation were accepted, State Governments could equally be told that they cannot construct roads, hospitals, schools, transport facilities or other state infrastructure merely because such facilities physically exist within one Local Government Area or another.
That is plainly not what federalism or local government autonomy means.
ON THE CLAIM OF ILLEGAL REVENUE COLLECTION
The allegation that Governor Alex Otti personally collects revenue from the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal is serious and should not be presented as fact without evidence.
Public discourse must distinguish between political rhetoric and verifiable facts.
Anyone alleging unlawful diversion or appropriation of public revenue has a responsibility to identify the specific revenue, the collecting authority, the applicable legislation and the evidence establishing the alleged illegality.
Government accountability should be pursued on facts and law, not conjecture.
GOVERNMENT REMAINS OPEN TO LEGAL SCRUTINY
The Abia State Government has no objection whatsoever to any individual or political organisation seeking judicial interpretation of constitutional provisions.
That is precisely what the courts exist to do.
If the ADC believes that the development of the Nnenna Oti Central Bus Terminal violates the Constitution, it is entitled to approach a court of competent jurisdiction and place its arguments before the judiciary.
The Government will respect every lawful judicial process and abide by valid decisions of the courts.
What should not happen, however, is for a political assertion to be presented to the public as though it were already a judgment of the Supreme Court.
Until a competent court determines otherwise, declarations that the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal is “unconstitutional, illegal, null and void” remain allegations and legal opinions — not established judicial findings.
THE PRIORITY IS PUBLIC SERVICE
The responsibility of government is to provide infrastructure that improves the lives of citizens, supports commerce, modernises transportation and strengthens the economy.
The Nnenna Oti Central Bus Terminal was built as part of that development agenda.
The Abia State Government will continue to work constructively with Local Government Councils and other institutions of government while respecting the Constitution and the rule of law.
Political disagreement is legitimate.
Constitutional debate is legitimate.
But the public deserves arguments founded on the complete law, verifiable facts and responsible interpretation, rather than conclusions presented as settled law when they have not been determined by any court.
Abia State Government remains committed to development, constitutional governance and accountability.
